Atlanta Falcons and 10 NFL Teams Who Have No Excuses for Poor Seasons

There were numerous teams that had high hopes and high expectations heading into the season.

Unfortunately for some franchises and their fanbases, their teams have under-achieved and have not lived up to these expectations and have no justifications for their failures and/or inconsistencies.

Although there have been a number of teams that have played well and clinched playoff spots, there are those teams that have not played up to their potential. Now these teams are either scratching and clawing their way to try and reach the playoffs or are so far under .500 that they are already looking forward to next season.

The New York Giants

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Many believe that the New York Giants have over-achieved considering the amount of injuries they have dealt with as well as inexperience of the offensive line.

This might have been true before the Giants had constant success against some of the best teams in the NFL. Although there are obviously some issues that need to be addressed in offseason in regards to the defense, the G-men have demonstrated the capability to compete.

Consequently there is no excuse or reason for them to lose against teams like the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks.

New York should be 9-4 right now but as a result of their inability to avoid falling into these "trap games," the Giants' quest for an NFC East title will go down to the wire.

The Minnesota Vikings

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This offseason the Minnesota Vikings signed veteran Donavon McNabb to help lead their offense. With Adrian Peterson in the back field and Percy Harvin still at wide out Minnesota seemed to be in good shape to compete.

The Vikings proceeded to lose their first three games of the season in heart breaking fashion which included three blown fourth quarter leads.

Things continued to fall apart for the Vikings for the rest of the season.

They have lost five straight games and share the second worst record in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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After finishing 10-6 and being one of the surprise teams in the league last season, there were high expectations for QB Josh Freeman and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

They have showed that they can play with some of the best teams in the NFL after beating the Saints in Week 6, but they have also showed that they aren't ready for the big time after getting blown out 48-3 to the 49ers in Week 5.

The Bucs are 4-9 and have lost seven straight heading into their Week 15 matchup with Dallas.

The Arizona Cardinals

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When the Arizona Cardinals traded for quarterback Kevin Kolb and signed star WR Larry Fitzgerald this offseason, it seemed as if they were going to be a threat in the NFC West with a "legitimate" quarterback. That obviously has not been the case.

It seems as if the Cardinals put all their eggs in one basket and trusted their season to Kolb and he has disappointed all year. With him at QB the Cardinals are 2-6, and with John Skelton, they are 4-1.

The New York Jets

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After the New York Jets made a second straight AFC title game appearance in 2010, head coach Rex Ryan made another guarantee that his Jets were going to win the Super Bowl.

Well Rex, the Jets haven't looked too impressive at some points this season. At times their offense has looked inefficient and anemic. Mark Sanchez has had a tough time executing this season especially in the games against the better teams in the AFC.

Losses to New England, Baltimore and Denver really highlighted some of their weaknesses on offense.

At 8-5 they are in the playoff hunt but will have to battle hard in the next three games to make an appearance.